Car Insurance in Myrtle Beach: What You Need to Know

What Myrtle Beach drivers need to know about car insurance

Myrtle Beach sits in Horry County, and your car insurance costs here depend on three things the state requires and one thing the market sets. South Carolina mandates liability coverage — you must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Those are the legal minimums; most drivers carry more. Beyond that, you choose whether to add collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage, and those choices affect your premium.

Myrtle Beach premiums run higher than rural South Carolina because the area has more traffic, more tourists, and more claims. Your actual rate depends on your driving record, age, the car you drive, and which company quotes you. There is no single "Myrtle Beach rate" — two drivers on the same street can pay very different amounts. The fastest way to find your own rate is to call three to five insurers directly or use an online comparison tool, because rates change and companies weight risk differently.

Key Takeaways

• South Carolina requires a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage liability.
• Myrtle Beach premiums are typically higher than other parts of South Carolina because of traffic volume, seasonal tourism, and claim frequency in the area.
• Your rate depends on your driving record, age, vehicle type, and the insurance company — the same coverage can cost different amounts from different insurers.
• Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional in South Carolina but required if you have a car loan or lease.
• Getting quotes from multiple insurers takes 15 to 30 minutes and is the only way to find the lowest rate for your situation.

South Carolina's mandatory coverage requirements

Every driver in South Carolina must carry liability insurance, which pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else. The state's minimum is $25,000 per person for bodily injury (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering), $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (the total across all injured people), and $25,000 for property damage (damage to the other person's car or property). If you cause an accident and your liability limit is too low, you are personally responsible for the rest of the bill.

These minimums are low. A serious accident can easily cost $100,000 or more. Most insurance agents recommend carrying at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $100,000 in property damage. The premium difference between the state minimum and these higher limits is usually $10 to $30 per month, depending on your age and driving record.

You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times. South Carolina accepts a paper card from your insurer, a digital copy on your phone, or a screenshot. If you are stopped by police and cannot show proof, you face a fine and possible license suspension, even if you actually have coverage.

Collision and comprehensive coverage: what they cover and when you need them

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle, a fixed object, or a pothole — anything that is your fault or no one's fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for theft, weather damage (hail, flooding, wind), vandalism, and hitting an animal. Neither is required by law in South Carolina, but if you have a car loan or lease, your lender requires both.

If you own your car outright, you can legally skip both. But Myrtle Beach sits on the coast, which means hurricane season brings wind and flooding risk. Many drivers in the area carry comprehensive coverage for that reason alone. Collision is a personal choice based on your car's age and value — if your car is worth $3,000 and the collision deductible is $500, you are paying to protect $2,500 of value, which may not make financial sense.

Both collision and comprehensive come with a deductible, usually $250, $500, or $1,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. If you choose a $1,000 deductible instead of $250, you might save $15 to $40 per month, but you will pay $1,000 out of pocket if you file a claim.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Myrtle Beach

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) pays your medical bills and lost wages if you are hit by a driver with no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) covers you if the other driver's liability limit is too low to pay your full claim. South Carolina does not require either, but both are worth considering in a high-traffic area like Myrtle Beach.

About one in eight drivers on the road nationally has no insurance. In a busy tourist destination, that number may be higher because rental cars and out-of-state drivers sometimes slip through without coverage. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and have no UM coverage, you have to sue them personally to recover anything — and if they have no money, you recover nothing.

UM and UIM coverage usually costs $10 to $25 per month and covers you, your passengers, and family members in your household. Most insurers set your UM/UIM limit at the same level as your liability limit, so if you carry $100,000 in liability, your UM/UIM is also $100,000. You can request a lower limit to save money, but the coverage is inexpensive enough that most drivers keep it at the same level as their liability.

How your rate is set and what affects the price

Insurance companies use a formula that weighs multiple factors. Your driving record is the single largest factor — one at-fault accident or moving violation can raise your rate by 10 to 40 percent for three to five years. Your age matters significantly; drivers under 25 and over 75 pay more because they are statistically involved in more accidents. Your vehicle type affects the rate because some cars cost more to repair and are stolen more often. A sports car or luxury sedan costs more to insure than a sedan or SUV.

Your location within Myrtle Beach can matter — some zip codes have higher claim rates than others, though the difference is usually small. Your credit score affects your rate in South Carolina; insurers use it as a proxy for how likely you are to file a claim. Your annual mileage matters; drivers who commute 50 miles per day pay more than drivers who work from home. Whether you have prior insurance also affects the rate — switching from one company to another after a gap in coverage can raise your premium.

Two drivers with identical coverage can pay $800 per year and $1,200 per year from different companies, because each company weights these factors differently and has different claims experience in Myrtle Beach. The only way to know your actual rate is to get quotes.

Getting quotes and comparing coverage options

Call or visit the websites of at least three insurers to get quotes. Major companies operating in South Carolina include State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, Progressive, Nationwide, and Palmetto State Insurance (a South Carolina company). Each will ask for your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), driving history, and the coverage limits you want. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes per company.

When you get quotes, ask for the same coverage from each company so you can compare apples to apples. For example: $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability, $100,000 property damage, $500 collision deductible, $500 comprehensive deductible, and $100,000 uninsured motorist. Write down the total annual premium and the monthly payment amount. Some companies offer discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, paying in full upfront, or maintaining a good driving record — ask about these before you decide.

Rates change, so it is worth getting new quotes every two to three years, especially if your driving record is clean. You may also get a lower rate if you move, change jobs, or turn 25, because those events change the factors insurers use to calculate your premium.

Discounts and ways to lower your premium

Most insurers offer a good driver discount (usually 10 to 15 percent off) if you have no accidents or moving violations in the past three to five years. A bundling discount (10 to 25 percent off) applies if you insure your home and car with the same company. A paid-in-full discount (2 to 10 percent off) applies if you pay your annual premium upfront instead of monthly.

Some companies offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, installing anti-theft devices, or maintaining continuous coverage without a lapse. A few offer usage-based discounts if you install an app that monitors your driving habits — you get a discount if you drive safely, but your rate can go up if you speed or brake hard frequently.

The easiest discounts to get are the good driver discount (which requires no action on your part) and the bundling discount (which requires moving your home insurance). Ask each company what discounts you may have access to for before you finalize your quote, because the discount can reduce your premium by 20 to 40 percent.

What to do if you are in an accident

If you are in an accident, stop your car in a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is significant damage. Exchange name, phone number, address, driver's license number, license plate, and insurance information with the other driver. Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

Call your insurance company within 24 hours and report the accident. Have your policy number, the other driver's information, and your photos ready. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your vehicle. Do not agree to any settlement or sign any documents from the other driver's insurance company without talking to your own insurer first.

If the other driver was at fault and you have collision coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance and let them recover the money from the other driver's insurer (this is called subrogation). If you do not have collision coverage, you have to file a claim directly with the other driver's insurance company or sue them in small claims court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to carry more than the state minimum liability coverage?

The state minimum ($25,000/$50,000/$25,000) is legal but low. A serious accident can cost $100,000 or more in medical bills and vehicle damage. Most insurance agents recommend at least $100,000/$300,000/$100,000. The extra cost is usually $10 to $30 per month and protects you from a lawsuit if you cause a major accident.

What happens if I let my insurance lapse?

Driving without insurance in South Carolina is illegal. If you are stopped by police, you face a fine of $100 to $500, possible license suspension, and a mark on your driving record. If you cause an accident while uninsured, you are personally liable for all damages and medical bills. If you cannot afford your premium, call your insurer and ask about payment plans or lower-coverage options before your policy expires.

Can I get insurance if I have a bad driving record?

Yes, but you will pay more. Drivers with accidents or moving violations in the past three to five years are considered higher-risk and pay 20 to 100 percent more than drivers with clean records. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers. Getting quotes from multiple insurers is especially important if you have a bad record, because rates vary widely.

Does my rate go down after an accident?

No. An at-fault accident typically raises your rate by 10 to 40 percent for three to five years. After that period, the accident falls off your record and your rate returns to normal. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and file a claim, the rate increase is usually smaller because you are not at fault.

What should I do if the other driver does not have insurance?

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, file a claim with your own insurance company and they will cover your medical bills and vehicle damage (up to your coverage limit). If you do not have UM coverage, you can sue the other driver in small claims court, but collecting money from someone with no insurance is difficult. This is why UM coverage is worth the small monthly cost.